Determined Suicide

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1921, Page 2

Determined Suicide

( H ARLKS QUARTER.U AIN

(Grey Argus)

About 8.45 p.m. last evening, Charles Quartermain made a determined attempt to commit suicide by cutting his throat. It appears that he had been drinking during the day, and about 8.30 p.m. went to his wife’s house in Arnev Street and savagely attacked her. Mrs H lichens, who lives opposite Mrs Quartermain, called her to come to her bouse for protection, which she did, being pursued across by Quartermain. On reaching Hutchen’s gate lie leant o\ei it, drew a razor anil made a terrible gash in his throat. He then opened the gate and pursued Mrs Quartermain into the house with blood streaming from him. Miss Hucbens met him in the passage, and received a dreadful shock. He then again attacked Mrs Quartermain, but being weak from loss of blood, did not succeed in injuring her. He walked out of the bouse and the verandah steps, anil in a few minutes collapsed. Dr Mcßrearty was sent for and was quickly in attendance, and bound up the wound, which was an awful one, the jugular veins and windpipe being partly severed. The unfortunate man seemed perfectly conscious as lie laid in the garden alter being attended to by the doctor, and said good-bye to some of bis mates, who were standing by. He complained of a severe pain in bis stomach, and asked tlie doctor for something to ease it and put him out of his misery. He wished also to sav good-bye to his wife and children. Later Quartermain was taken to tlic Hospital where he succumbed at 10.20 p.m. He had on several occasions told some of his mates that he intended to commit suicide, hut was not taken seriously. Yesterday, he remarked to one of them that he was going to do it to-night. The deceased was a prominent bandsman and well-known in band circles. Much sympathy is extended to Mrs Quartermain who Has had a severe trial lately.